Prospect Talent Score

Probability of Success

History

2010-11: Valentin Zykov skated for CSKA-Red Army’s junior team and represented Russia in the U17 Four Nations Tournament in Podolsk – playing for the U16 team in the tournament. He scored 50 goals with 39 assists and had 34 penalty minutes in 55 regular season games. In the U17 national championship tournament he scored 5 goals with 3 assists and was plus-six with 2 penalty minutes. Zykov played in 2 of 3 games in the Four Nations tournament and had 1 assist.

2011-12: Zykov played for CSKA-Red Army the U22 MHL and played for Russia in the 2011 U19 Junior A Challenge and 2012 U17 World Hockey Challenge tournaments. In 52 MHL games he scored 5 goals with 6 assists and was minus-four. Zykov’s 105 penalty minutes were second-most for CSKA-Red Army. He had 2 assists and was minus-five with 4 penalty minutes in the playoffs; playing in 18 of 19 games as CSKA reached the Kharlamov Cup finals. Zykov was selected by Baie-Comeau (QMJHL) in the second round (76th overall) of the 2012 CHL Import Draft.

2012-13: Zykov skated in 67 games for Baie-Comeau in his first season in North America. He was the second-leading scorer for the Drakkar behind Petr Straka (CBS), scoring 40 goals with 35 assists in 67 games, and was plus-29 with 60 penalty minutes. Baie-Comeau had the league’s second best mark; finishing first in the East Division. The Drakkar won its first ten playoff games, with Zykov posting a plus-eight plus/minus and scoring 4 goals with 5 assists. They eventually lost to Halifax in the QMJHL finals, with Zykov finishing +13 with 10 goals, 9 assists and 18 penalty minutes in 19 playoff games. He was ranked seventh amongst North American skaters in the Central Scouting final rankings and was selected by the Los Angeles Kings in the second round (37th overall) of the 2013 NHL Draft.

2013-14: Zykov attended his first training camp with the Kings before being returned to Baie-Comeau for his second season and skated for Russia in the 2014 World Junior Championship. He was the second-leading scorer for the Drakkar behind Jeremy Gregoire (Montreal), finishing with 23 goals and 40 assists in 53 regular season games and was +32 with 70 penalty minutes. Baie-Comeau finished first in the East Division and reached the QMJHL finals for the second straight season, falling to Val d’Or, 4-3, in the decisive seventh game. Zykov scored 7 goals with 15 assists and was -2 with 14 penalty minutes in 22 playoff games. He had an even plus/minus with no points and 2 penalty minutes for Russia in seven games at the WJC. Russia defeated Canada, 2-1 in the bronze medal game. Zykov signed a three-year entry-level contract with the Kings in May 2014.

Talent Analysis

Zykov is an under-the-radar threat, a solidly-built winger who uses his big frame to his advantage when taking punishment in front of the net and in the corners. He is extremely dangerous in close and has a quick release — always looking to drive to the net or jam in a rebound. Zykov is still raw but between his size and his nose for the net he has plenty of potential. He needs to continue to improve his skating.

Future

Zykov was dealt by the Los Angeles Kings along with a conditional fifth round pick to the Carolina Hurricanes in exchange for Kris Versteeg. Long-term, his combination of high-end passing and stick skills and a desire to win battles and create scoring chances suggests he can be an elite offensive player one day.

In this week’s Prospect Faceoff, two sets of draft-eligible players go to head-to-head in critical games for their respective teams. In the OHL, two of the most improved players will see game action against each other. In addition, polar opposite defensemen lead their teams in a pair of NCAA games this weekend. Finally, two prospects with future college commitments including one player traded during Monday’s NHL trade deadline. Read more»

Photo: Two Vancouver Canucks prospects – Jordan Subban of the Belleville Bulls and Cole Cassels of the Oshawa Generals – will go head-to-head this weekend in OHL action (courtesy of Aaron Bell/OHL Images)

Two childhood friends continue their friendly rivalry on the big stage, and in the WHL an accomplished defenseman goes one-on-one against one of the league’s best rookies. In the OHL, it’s a meeting of two Vancouver Canucks prospects, while former Russian teammates collide in an important QMJHL matchup. Finally, two prospects at opposite ends of the same draft see each other again in the SHL. Read more»

Photo: Kings prospect Colin Miller improved his stock with a standout second season in the AHL. (courtesy of Fred Kfoury III/Icon Sportswire)

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It is crazy what a difference a year can make for a hockey player. Hockey has ebbs and flows game to game, but sometimes year to year, as well. The Los Angeles Kings prospect pool has endured a lot of turnover in the last few seasons. As some old assets have come and gone, new faces have arrived and new players have risen. Read more»

Photo: Roland McKeown has had a slow offensive start to 2014-15, but other areas of his game have not suffered (courtesy of Aaron Bell/OHL Images)

In recent years the Los Angeles Kings have brought in many players from the OHL, and it has been met with a fair amount of success. Tanner Pearson, Drew Doughty, Kyle Clifford, Andy Andreoff;. the list of OHL draftees is long and successful. That pattern has not changed, as the Kings have a staggering eight OHL prospects out of their pool of ten Junior prospects. Mark Yannetti, the Kings’ director of amateur scouting, and Clay Leibel, the club’s Ontario scout, seem to have a formula for success with OHL selections right now.Read more»

Photo: Brayden McNabb has received significant ice time with the Kings in 2014-15 and looks to have found a home on the Los Angeles blue line. (courtesy of Harry How/Getty Images)

Without having too many high selections in recent drafts, the Los Angeles Kings have done quite well in growing their pipeline in areas of need. While the graduation of Martin Jones does hurt the goalie pipeline, they continue to stock up on useful centers and defenseman. While the wings might not be top-tier, there are some role players and quality players peppered throughout.